The USWNT is perhaps the most diverse team in all of sports, featuring a large number of not only minority athletes, but publically gay athletes. But unfortunately, one member of the USWNT seems to have rather intolerant views toward the LGBTQ community as a whole and is now under fire for it.
Korbin Albert, a 20-year-old right winger for the USWNT, has made it a point to repost several anti-LGBTQ videos on her TikTok account.
One repost, in particular, was quite jarring, suggesting that “feeling transgender is “gross, insulting, and unacceptable”.
A USWNT player that reposts videos about God “saving” people from being gay and “feeling transgender” is just gross, insulting and unacceptable. Not after the team and also have worked so hard to become a safe place for queer players and fans. https://t.co/FTwW1xjve4 pic.twitter.com/aXVwD2bhT0
— that’s the tea (@tonaliana) March 28, 2024
Naturally, many soccer fans took notice of these videos on her TikTok page and have taken to social media to publically bash her for these views.
Does Korbin Albert know the benefits she reaps from currently being on the most well-off women’s international teams in terms of compensation and facilities is because of the people like Pinoe that came before her
— lauren (@njdlauren) March 28, 2024
Korbin Albert should NOT ever wear #15. Transphobia, liking posts mocking and cheering on Megan Rapinoe's injury = UNACCEPTIBLE. pic.twitter.com/u8VxdtNkix
— Dr. Ironclad, Brunch Democrat (@Fe_CLAD) March 28, 2024
I hope the various podcasts and shows that cover the USWNT actually address Korbin Albert’s bigotry. And I want to see players and former players other than P calling for repercussions.
— leigh (@twocutemedals) March 28, 2024
Korbin Albert, you will never deserve to wear the #15 👍 genuinely disgraceful that you can’t respect one of the legends of the USWNT. Megan Rapinoe I’m so sorry pic.twitter.com/0T3XGIjT3p
— 🇮🇪جوليا 🇵🇸🔻 (@6WONTGO) March 28, 2024
So Korbin Albert, who took Megan Rapinoe's number 15 on the USWNT when Rapinoe retired last year, is reposting homophobic and transphobic rhetoric on tiktok, spitting on Megan's legacy. Love how Megan didn't take this lying down. Her response below:https://t.co/94oRlQd6Mj
— Eva Kate (@EvaRoctoRose) March 28, 2024
Megan Rapinoe, one of the most beloved USWNT members in recent memory, also spoke out about Albert’s views.
“For people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’, I would just ask one question,” Rapinoe wrote on Instagram. “Are you making any type of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? Because if you aren’t, all you believe in is hate. And kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake tf up!”
Megan Rapinoe. Inspiration and icon always.
In light of some horrible views shared by a newer member of the USWNT, Korbin Albert, on their tiktok reposting videos about people needing to “be saved from being gay or transgender.”
The People's #15 responds ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uXGHtmtn7J
— Joe Louis Monte (@Jolomoco) March 28, 2024
Not only is this type of rhetoric from Albert dangerous to young fans, but it also has to make her fellow USWNT teammates, especially those who support or are a part of the LGBTQ community, extremely uncomfortable.